World Exclusive: KTM 890 parallel-twin motor-powered Husqvarna 901 series in the pipeline

03/11/2019 - 15:30 | ,  ,   | Suvil Susvirkar

KTM will likely unveil its new 890 series motorcycle/s at the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show. The new motor, as confirmed by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer in December last year, will be manufactured by Bajaj Auto in India. In the latest updates, Indian Autos Blog understands that the same engine platform will also power the new Husqvarna range of motorcycles that will arrive under the 901 series.

Husqvarna 901 Range Featured Image
The Husqvarna 901 series will be based on KTM's upcoming 890 range. The new KTM 890 products are expected to debut at EICMA 2019.

Also Read: Husqvarna 401 Indian launch rescheduled to 2020, high-end KTMs lined-up too

The Husqvarna 901 range will comprise supermoto, enduro, adventure tourer and naked roadster motorcycles. We could also see the bigger variants of the Vitpilen and the Svartpilen motorcycles under the 901 series. Do note that Husqvarna already offers the Vitpilen 701 and the Svartpilen 701 in select international markets.

Engine specifications, like those of the KTM’s 890 upcoming range, will include an 899 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine with 4-valves per cylinder and a 435-degree firing order. The company’s first parallel-twin motor that currently powers the 790 Duke and the 790 Adventure already uses the 435-degree firing order for a V-Twin like character. The engine on the roadster will most likely deliver higher performance numbers, while the enduro and the adventure models would trade some top-end performance for a meaty low- and mid-range.

Regular readers would know that Husqvarna will transfer the production of the Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401 to Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant in December 2019. Apart from the 401 range, Bajaj Auto will also manufacture lower displacement (125 cc and 250 cc) Husqvarna motorcycles. Will Bajaj Auto also produce the Husqvarna 901 series? While it's too early to comment on that, the engine will most definitely be made in India.

The existing range of enduro and supermoto models will act as the stencil for their respective 901 variants. The adventure tourer will most likely combine the aesthetics of the 701 Nomad Adventure with a low-slung fuel tank of the 790 Adventure – at least that’s what the leaked image suggests. Considering the similarities between the 390 Duke and the Husqvarna 401 motorcycles, it is safe to assume that the adventurer tourer will feature a trellis frame that will use the engine as the stressed member. The bolted sub-frame will most likely be a trellis unit.

2019 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto Press Images Left Fro
The Husqvarna 901 range will comprise supermoto, enduro, adventure tourer and naked roadster motorcycles. (Image for representation only)

Also Read: KTM 490 parallel-twin based Husqvarna 501 series under development

It is safe to assume that the 901 series will carry the same hardware specifications as the KTM motorcycles. Thus, we expect to see WP sourced inverted front forks and rear mono-shock, twin discs at the front and a single rotor at the back, Brembo sourced callipers and a digital display with optional Bluetooth connectivity.

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